Marley Miller LPC, PMH-C shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Marley, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I feel fortunate to start my day in a slower manner overall. I begin with a red light therapy and take a few minutes to complete the daily questions in an App called Paired that focuses on strengthening your primary relationship. Next, I do a short movement routine focused on core strength and listen to a podcast of daily headlines. Next it’s breakfast and getting ready for the work day!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Marley, I use she/her pronouns, and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor. I specialize in working with families during the perinatal period (pregnancy & postpartum) or who are struggling with fertility, but I also see folks who have older kids as well as teens and college students. I’ve always felt very fortunate to have uncovered what I feel is purposeful work. I first learned about the idea of therapy by reading a book in 7th grade, and from that time on, it was always floating around somewhere internally. Prior to entering clinical work I was a backpacking guide, which helps inform how I work with my clients and also allows me to meet my clients for outdoor sessions.
I’m part of a small group practice called Nurture Nook Counseling located in Boulder. We offer in-person and virtual sessions and are all committed to supporting families in our area.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I come from a large family and some of my siblings have varied life experiences including chronic illness, intense physical scaring, and special needs. As the youngest child, I never knew a life that was different, but in growing up I started to recognize that some of these perspectives were fairly unique. I am so grateful for all that my siblings have taught me and it was also informative how others in my life responded or interacted with my family. I developed a keen sense around people who were more quick to assume or judge and felt comfortable deprioritizing those relationships.
Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
In graduate school for counseling, there was a requirement to have a particular number of sessions as a client with a licensed clinician. This was my first true introduction into psychotherapy. The idea that someone was there to listen to whatever I had to say felt quite foreign and I was inexperienced in talking about myself authentically. My therapist would sit in silence with me, without judgement, waiting for me to show up and share what I had to say. Though it was uncomfortable at first, I am so grateful for having a space to learn how to prioritize myself and make sense of the world around me.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I believe that culturally we are leaning heavily into technology in a way that may be more detrimental to us later on. While I appreciate the advancements that technology offers us for protection, education, and expansion, I think it is also a distractor from truly connecting with those around us. There’s research about the invention of the television and how it shifted our cultural habits away from game nights, meeting up with friends as often, and overall social engagement. I’m not interested in taking folks’ phones and TVs away, but I do think it’s valuable for us to continue to prioritize relationships with our neighbors, colleagues, peers, friends, and family. We are social creatures and ment to be in connection with one another.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Both. I believe that I was meant to do work that is relational and supports people and I feel truly fulfilled in that regard. Simultaneously I know there are expectations placed upon me by society, my family of origin, myself that I am still trying to challenge and unroot. It’s always a balancing act and I don’t know that we ever fully get to clear out the things we’ve been told, but I’m working on it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nurturenookcounseling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurturenookcounseling/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marley-miller-lpc-pmh-c-b5796989/
Image Credits
Photo credit: Aleph Baumbach
